Jharigaon: After the news of a pregnant woman being carried on a cot to reach an ambulance was broadcast by various media outlets on Wednesday, May 28, local MLA Narsingha Bhatra visited the village where the incident occurred.
According to reports, Bimala Jani, wife of Chakradhar Jani from Dumuniguda village under Ichhapur Panchayat in Jharigaon block of Nabarangpur district, experienced labor pain. Her family immediately contacted the ambulance service. However, due to the poor condition of village roads, the ambulance could not reach the village and got stuck around half a kilometer away at Karlapada village.
With no other option, the family carried Bimala on a cot for half a kilometer to the ambulance. From there, she was taken to the Jharigaon Community Health Center. En route to the hospital in the ambulance, she gave birth to a baby boy, who was her fifth child, but unfortunately, the newborn was declared dead.
It was reported that before delivery, Bimala had gone to her maternal home but the family was reluctant to bring her back to the Maa Gruha (Maternity Waiting Home). She had returned home in March from outside the state where she worked for livelihood.
As per Usha Rani Nayak, a health worker, Bimala’s name was registered at the Ayushman Arogya Mandir (located in Ichhapur Panchayat headquarters), and she was regularly receiving health check-ups and essential medicines. However, upon examination at the Jharigaon Community Health Center after delivery, Bimala was found to be stable, but the newborn had died, confirmed by doctors.
The incident gained wide media attention, prompting MLA Narsingha Bhatra to personally visit Dumuniguda village. He met the bereaved family, expressed his condolences, and interacted with the villagers to understand the local issues. He assured them that he would take steps to ensure all government welfare schemes reach the village effectively and promised to work towards resolving the village’s problems, especially concerning healthcare and infrastructure.